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New bridge over M1 taking shape

A new bridge across the M1 will soon take shape as the next phase of construction begins.

From Saturday 7 May Leicestershire County Council, along with partners Balfour Beatty and Highways England, will install the bridge beams that will link Thorpe Astley to New Lubbesthorpe.

The installation will take up to three nights, across three weekends, and requires night time closures of the motorway between junction 21 and 22.

The motorway will be closed in both directions on:

Saturday, 7 May, 9pm until 11am on Sunday 8

Saturday, 14 May, 8pm until 10am on Sunday 15

Saturday, 21 May, 8pm until 10am on Sunday 22

Councillor Peter Osborne, cabinet member for highways, said: “Our contractors are working hard to install the bridge as quickly and safely as possible and reduce disruption, before work to develop the new town can begin.

“Motorists have been really patient since the work started and the speed limit along the motorway needed to be reduced, I would like to thank them for that and apologise for the disruption the next phase of work may cause.”

Work to build the bridge started in June 2015 and is expected to last until autumn 2016. The central and side supports for the bridge are almost complete and by May will be ready for the next phase.

The two-way closure of the M1, between Leicester’s junction 21 and 22, will ensure the bridge beams can be safely lifted into place and has been timed to minimise disruption.

The bridge has been funded thanks to £5m from the Department for Transport’s Local Pinchpoint Fund and money from the New Lubbesthorpe developers.

The M69 slip road onto the M1 northbound, the A46 from its junction with the A50 to where it merges with the M1 and Leicester Forest East service station will also be closed overnight during the work.

Diversion routes for local journeys include the A563, Leicester outer ring road, and the A50. Motorists travelling from further afield will be directed onto the M6 or M69, and M42/A42.

For further information visit www.leicestershire.gov.uk/M1closure, email highwayscustomerservices@leics.gov.uk or call 0116 305 0001. For live traffic updates follow @ATCLeicester on Twitter.